"New Combine Empire"? [Archive] - EQ2 Forum Archive @ EQ2Wire

Cyliena

03-12-2012, 07:36 PM

<blockquote><cite>Celos@Nagafen wrote:</cite>The New Era Combine Meeting-It's great stuff. Just wish we could have stayed to find out all of the details of the pact going into the New Combine Empire.-Lucan in charge of the New Combine Empire military....yeah scary but I can see why she had to make that choice. I love how the Queen tossed in his face the fact she had adventurers save him from RT's palace. </blockquote> From <a href="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/posts/list.m?start=0&topic_id=515932#5730512" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/...=515932#5730512</a>Does this mean that we're getting Katta Castellum or Katta Castrum at some point? While I loved Katta Castellum I was really hoping that after the Ages End arc finally finished that we'd get an unique expansion, not more EQ1 rehashed. Maybe I'm reading too much into that quote above. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/97ada74b88049a6d50a6ed40898a03d7.gif" border="0" />Anyone have a character on Test Copy that could get the dialogues from the new sig quest? Would love to see them and none of my characters are remotely close to even glancing at Drunder content.

Cusashorn

03-13-2012, 12:04 AM

Kinda hard for Katta Castrum to be put into this game. Can't really put in what doesn't canonically exist.Anyways, if I had to guess, Lucan and Antonia are probably going to start up a new Combine Empire.. exactly what it says. Try to get all the races from all over Norrath will put aside their differences in order to focus on peace, knowledge, and a unified army to fight off any threat that presents itself to Norrath.Pretty much what everyone has already done since Anashti Sul threatened her return in TSO.It probably wouldn't have anything to do with actually going back to the physical locations of the old empire.

Celline-Layonaire

03-13-2012, 07:12 AM

Heh, should be interesting to imagine about whether Lucan will eventually rule the roost in the new empire or some countermeasures will emerge against Lucan's plans.And can't wait for what we'll get to experience Post-Age's End Prophecy.

SgtPmpkn

03-13-2012, 10:00 AM

I am quite happy that the storyline is finally moving some, even at a snails' pace. I am only disheartened that at this pace we won't see Ages' End come to a conclusion late this year, at its earliest, and the start of the next chapter, sometime in 2013. Hopefully some lore and story quests can be pushed out more frequently in between the larger quarterly game updates.

Mixxit

03-13-2012, 01:42 PM

I wonder which faction of combine it is loyalist or seruites? Man, I can see Lucan as such a bigger badder seruEither way, very exciting and I hope this leads into the shissar/hissing of the serpent!

Mixxit

03-13-2012, 01:55 PM

I hope that if the Katta Castrum story line is going to be brought to EQ2 that they keep the same storyline of the Shissar using the combine to fuel the rebuilding of their empire and their plans to return control to KunarkI wonder if the Sathirians could hold up against a newly formed army of Shissar masters!

Fugazl

03-13-2012, 05:00 PM

No events after PoP forced land masses to appear from nowhere they were only discovered.If places were dicoverer after PoP, there is no reason they are not out there.AoD spoiler thread we kinda talked about the combine <a href="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/posts/list.m?start=15&topic_id=509888">http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/...topic_id=509888</a>'volatile child of Tsaph Katta'"its grave markers pock this world"EQ2 its self reflects similar comparisons to The Combine empire. We start the game as a scattered thinned out population of races which had us think everything has faded during the between time of eq1 and eq2

Kaitheel

03-13-2012, 05:52 PM

<cite>Boog@Butcherblock wrote:</cite><blockquote>AoD spoiler thread we kinda talked about the combine <a href="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/posts/list.m?start=15&topic_id=509888">http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/...topic_id=509888</a>'volatile child of Tsaph Katta'"its grave markers pock this world"*quote snipped*</blockquote>Boog, your assumption was correct back then, and now Norrath is about to experience it! Tiressiaz <Faceless Oracle> said, "Tsaph Katta's volatile child is to be resurrected. Its grave markers pock this world. Choke upon its tenantzz."~Kaitheel

kelvmor

03-13-2012, 07:43 PM

If the Shissar were to try and return to Kunark, they would be opposed at all sides by the Sarnak of Gorowyn, the Sathirian Empire, Teren's Grasp, and the Di'Zok, to say nothing of the giants, drolvarg, or the remnants of the Ring of Scale and their droag army.As for the whole races unifying...that will not last very long. If, at all. Dark elves are going to hate high elves, and vice versa. Iksar are going to hate everyone except their own. The big problem is probably the undying emnity between the two main elf races, the wood elves aside.

Talathion

03-13-2012, 08:29 PM

but dark elves love wood elves... <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" />

Cyliena

03-13-2012, 09:40 PM

<cite>Kaitheel wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Boog@Butcherblock wrote:</cite><blockquote>AoD spoiler thread we kinda talked about the combine <a href="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/posts/list.m?start=15&topic_id=509888">http://forums.station.sony.com/eq2/...topic_id=509888</a>'volatile child of Tsaph Katta'"its grave markers pock this world"*quote snipped*</blockquote>Boog, your assumption was correct back then, and now Norrath is about to experience it! Tiressiaz said, "Tsaph Katta's volatile child is to be resurrected. Its grave markers pock this world. Choke upon its tenantzz."~Kaitheel</blockquote>I wondered about that line during that quest. Had forgotten about it afterward though, good catch Boog.So who is ressurecting Tsaph Katta's "volatile child"?

Mixxit

03-13-2012, 10:40 PM

I believe that would be the combine empire as his child

Meirril

03-13-2012, 11:15 PM

Talking about stuff that is on test seems a bit premature but the combine empire is a long standing topic.The Combine Empire is dead folks. Most of us are living on top of its remains. The Combine Empire covered all of Tunaria which is the modern day Antonica, D'Lere, Thundering Stepps, Nektulous Forest, Enchanted Lands, Zek, Lavastorm and Everfrost. Also they had holdings on Fadewyr. Basically everywhere on Norrath that has a Spire had a Combine presence with the exception of Kingdom of Sky and Odus.When the Combine Empire fell the main players in the Empire went to Luclin either in retreat or following after the nobility to kill them. When both sides were cut off from Norrath the cities of the empire were left to their own devices and the ones we know today just continued on. Qeynos, Freeport and Nerriak are clearly combine era cities. We have lore evidence to prove that Nerriak joined the Combine Empire shortly before it fell!While it is possible for more ruins of the empire to be discovered, that has nothing to do with what is being discussed on the Test forum. Antonia is proposing to have a new Empire founded with Lucan and Freeport joining Qeynos. Probably this deal includes the other cities as well. It may or may not include the Satherian Empire. I would guess not, but since I haven't seen the quest series I can't say. I'd guess Thurgadin would be in on it, and the Claws of Veeshan since Yelnik is present.They could of chosen to call it anything, but I think the chose the name New Combine Empire because they are trying to evoc the legitimacy and memory of the Combine's all encompasing empire. One that could accept all races and unite Norrath, possibly to face the End of Days.Honestly I think it would of been more clear if they had chosen a new name, but its more exciting if they use the Combine name. Oh well.

Rainmare

03-14-2012, 12:09 AM

the Dark elves never joined the combine empire, I don't think. there were 'present' at the last official function, and it stated that they were there because that's how much pull the Combine had. not that they were actually a part of it.and I think in the new quest, Neriak actually attempts a hit on Lucan...so I don't think Cristanos is going to be joining forces anytime soon.and apparently the deal is Antonia want's to be the 'ruler' with Lucan as her primary general...more then likely to unite to face Kerafyrm/End of Days. in a situation of 'we have common enemies..and I'm better on social issues and your better on military ones. so we'll join forces, and I'll run things becuase I'm better at that sort of thing, and you control the military, since your much better in that.' I read the test thread and apparently antonia does take a cheap shot about her sending folks to help Lucan's capture by Theer as a jab to get him to agree.and I imagine the 'New Combine Empire' will last exactly as long as it takes to confront that threat before Lucan tries to pull a Seru on Antonia. but since neither of these two trust eachother like Tsaph did with Seru...we'll see how that turns out.

Cusashorn

03-14-2012, 01:25 AM

They *WERE* going to join if that night had gone without incident. Also: The Iksar have gotten over their extreme malicious hatred of other races in the last 500 years. Venril Sathir has given most of his own citizens sufficient reason to turn that hatred towards him instead.

Cyliena

03-14-2012, 01:34 AM

Well this quest is going live tomorrow, hope someone can post their log of the dialogues. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" /><cite>Rainmare@Oasis wrote:</cite> <blockquote>I imagine the 'New Combine Empire' will last exactly as long as it takes to confront that threat before Lucan tries to pull a Seru on Antonia. but since neither of these two trust eachother like Tsaph did with Seru...we'll see how that turns out.</blockquote>Maybe it will be what leads to Qeynos needing its revamp? <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" />

Banditman

03-14-2012, 11:20 AM

There is no way for the Shissar to return, they are well and truly dead. Their last bastion was Ssra temple, on Luclin.

Mixxit

03-14-2012, 12:34 PM

i doubt it, they're one of the most loved races of everquest

FreaklyCreak

03-14-2012, 02:00 PM

I'm doing the quest now. Do you guys want me to just post uncropped screenshots or? I'm currently taking screenshots of all the dialog in the chat window and key pictures that bring a lot of lore and flavor into it.When I gave my feedback on this quest, the dev responded with saying he would bring more to the next quests to make them more engaging AND he plans on not making previous Fallen Swords series quests be requirements for the parts that launch with or after Skyshrine update(thats how I interrpreted what he said).

Larkverdin

03-14-2012, 02:08 PM

<cite>Cyliena wrote:</cite><blockquote>Well this quest is going live tomorrow, hope someone can post their log of the dialogues. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" /> </blockquote>Live as in on the live servers, or live as in on Test?

FreaklyCreak

03-14-2012, 02:15 PM

<cite>Larkverdin@Unrest_old wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Cyliena wrote:</cite><blockquote>Well this quest is going live tomorrow, hope someone can post their log of the dialogues. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" /> </blockquote>Live as in on the live servers, or live as in on Test?</blockquote>It's live right now on all US servers.

Larkverdin

03-14-2012, 02:25 PM

<cite>Celos@Nagafen wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Larkverdin@Unrest_old wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Cyliena wrote:</cite><blockquote>Well this quest is going live tomorrow, hope someone can post their log of the dialogues. <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/283a16da79f3aa23fe1025c96295f04f.gif" border="0" /> </blockquote>Live as in on the live servers, or live as in on Test?</blockquote>It's live right now on all US servers.</blockquote>I feel very silly because I have no idea where this quest begins or anything. Was there some announcement that I missed? The only reason I caught it was because of this post, otherwise I'd have totally not known!

FreaklyCreak

03-14-2012, 02:39 PM

QUESTSPlayers who have completed the quest “The Fallen Swords: All Roads Lead To...” should check their mailboxes for a letter from the Duality himself. Another chapter in the Age’s End saga is about to unfold, and he will be looking for help. Seek him out in Thurgadin once more.Today's Patch Notes.

Larkverdin

03-14-2012, 02:42 PM

Ah, I see now why I didn't know there was anything further. I still need to kill Bonewing <img src="/smilies/9d71f0541cff0a302a0309c5079e8dee.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />.

Banditman

03-14-2012, 04:27 PM

<cite>Alluvial@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite><blockquote>i doubt it, they're one of the most loved races of everquest</blockquote>No more so than the Vah Shir, the Akheva, the Grimlings, or any of the other myriad races on Luclin, which ALSO perished when the moon, you know, blew up.

Fugazl

03-14-2012, 05:36 PM

This game is based on myths, magic, and fantasy. Ssraeshza Temple could be a space ship, other forms of travel non combine does and could exsist else where. You might notice that Norraths Anthropology is similar or even taking from earths myths and conspiracy theories.All four sub-fields of Anthropology have to exsist in order to have a such a epic story that spreads over many games; cannon from each of each could be compare to real life religious text. (Minus after PoP thats when Quinn Mallory of San Francisco, California changed everything we know.) Btw Thank you Kaitheel for popping in, I'm not saying that just cuz it was a quote from my own post, it means alot to all of the Lore fans to have a in house in the fourm.

Banditman

03-14-2012, 05:59 PM

Oh for God's sake.Is it so hard to accept that the moon blew up and everything on it died?

kelvmor

03-14-2012, 06:21 PM

<cite>Banditman wrote:</cite><blockquote>Oh for God's sake.Is it so hard to accept that the moon blew up and everything on it died?</blockquote>Yes. Because the world has magic, and the Shissar already predicted the eventual destruction of Luclin. Who's to say they haven't survived that?

Cusashorn

03-14-2012, 08:31 PM

<cite>kelvmor wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Banditman wrote:</cite><blockquote>Oh for God's sake.Is it so hard to accept that the moon blew up and everything on it died?</blockquote>Yes. Because the world has magic, and the Shissar already predicted the eventual destruction of Luclin. Who's to say they haven't survived that?</blockquote>Just because the Shissar predicted their destruction countless millenia ago doesn't mean that any of them cared in the present time.How many of you still keep fresh in your memory that one soldier who died during the crusades? You know, the one that died with countless others? Probably none of you. How many Shissar kept fresh in thier memory that the moon that their race made their new home in was going to be destroyed? Probably nobody who had enough power of pursuasion to make Emperor Ssra actually give a dang.There are people out there who would willingly accept their deaths whenever it may come. Many soldiers throughout history believed that there was no greater honor than to die on the battlefield, and would accept that possibility with dignity if it truely was their time to die. I bet that if any Shissar knew when the moon was going to blow up, they decided they'd rather blow up than die by the hands of the Greenmist again. Nothing was scarier to them than that..... Anyway, I like the idea that the aspect of building a new Combine Empire might be a good reason to revamp Qeynos. It's still not a good reason to actually do so in the game, but at least it makes sense in the story.

Meirril

03-14-2012, 09:30 PM

<cite>Cusashorn wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>kelvmor wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Banditman wrote:</cite><blockquote>Oh for God's sake.Is it so hard to accept that the moon blew up and everything on it died?</blockquote>Yes. Because the world has magic, and the Shissar already predicted the eventual destruction of Luclin. Who's to say they haven't survived that?</blockquote>Just because the Shissar predicted their destruction countless millenia ago doesn't mean that any of them cared in the present time.How many of you still keep fresh in your memory that one soldier who died during the crusades? You know, the one that died with countless others? Probably none of you. How many Shissar kept fresh in thier memory that the moon that their race made their new home in was going to be destroyed? Probably nobody who had enough power of pursuasion to make Emperor Ssra actually give a dang.There are people out there who would willingly accept their deaths whenever it may come. Many soldiers throughout history believed that there was no greater honor than to die on the battlefield, and would accept that possibility with dignity if it truely was their time to die. I bet that if any Shissar knew when the moon was going to blow up, they decided they'd rather blow up than die by the hands of the Greenmist again. Nothing was scarier to them than that.</blockquote>Ok, let me get this strait. Luclin blowing up when your on it is less scary than dying to the Greenmist? The Shissar knew about both events due to the calendar. If they were going to accept their fate, why move an entire temple to Luclin? Why become liches? All of what the Shissar did was to prolong their lives (long enough for wave upon wave of adventurers to slaughter them).A better argument would be lore-wise the most powerful Shissar were dead before the shattering and they couldn't move the temple back to Norrath. The inter-dimensional raiders never figured on being raided themselves. Funny.Or it is even possible that the Shissar now exist in the Hero Realms or some other plane of existance. They couldn't go back to Norrath out of fear of the Greenmist. They couldn't stay on Luclin. Who says they didn't move on elsewhere? Heck, they could of made deals with Rallos or Ro while Luclin was occupied by their forces.I'd say the Shissar should be dead, but that isn't a guarentee until EQ2 stops developing new content. Lets just point to Beastlords as a prime example.

Fugazl

03-14-2012, 09:58 PM

What do most of you think of when you hear Combine Emipre?Race?Or the empire that grew in size? ...then came internal conflictsgeomancy? which is so....2500'sOr the Idea of having a multi race/culture forming into a larger society?.... which has already happened from our start on refuge island to the city of evil/good?If Qeynos and Freeport were really eneimies at the start of EQ2 then Antonia and Lucan are the middle to then end of the new combine.

Elder Elf

03-14-2012, 10:01 PM

<cite>Banditman wrote:</cite><blockquote>Oh for God's sake.Is it so hard to accept that the moon blew up and everything on it died?</blockquote>The Goddess Luclin, who claimed the planetary satellite as her own, "<a href="http://eq2.zam.com/wiki/Luclin">has not yet returned to Norrath</a>".The moon was only "destroyed" 50 years before the start of EQII's game timeline began.I think it is reasonable to have the moon’s current status, and the fate of all its inhabitants, in question given that video game lore content typically follows the "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comic_book_death">comic book death</a>" principle.Your going to tell me if the game hadn't stalled out some years back that an expansion to the fragments of Luclin wouldn't have eventually come out? I bet it was on the top 10 list of possible expansion ideas. The Maiden of Shadows returns to Norrath, access to the bigger "chunks" opens up, etc...etc...Even if these chunks weren't full blown open world type zones, they could have been a bunch of end game instances for that expansion.... bah anyway.Nothing is ever truly dead and gone in tv, movies, novels, comic books or video games.

Cusashorn

03-15-2012, 12:16 AM

<cite>Elder Elf wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Banditman wrote:</cite><blockquote>Oh for God's sake.Is it so hard to accept that the moon blew up and everything on it died?</blockquote>The Goddess Luclin, who claimed the planetary satellite as her own, "<a href="http://eq2.zam.com/wiki/Luclin">has not yet returned to Norrath</a>".The moon was only "destroyed" 50 years before the start of EQII's game timeline began.I think it is reasonable to have the moon’s current status, and the fate of all its inhabitants, in question given that video game lore content typically follows the "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comic_book_death">comic book death</a>" principle.Your going to tell me if the game hadn't stalled out some years back that an expansion to the fragments of Luclin wouldn't have eventually come out? I bet it was on the top 10 list of possible expansion ideas. The Maiden of Shadows returns to Norrath, access to the bigger "chunks" opens up, etc...etc...Even if these chunks weren't full blown open world type zones, they could have been a bunch of end game instances for that expansion.... bah anyway.Nothing is ever truly dead and gone in tv, movies, novels, comic books or video games.</blockquote>There's a problem with the return of Luclin: She would never allow the world to know that she returned. Her whole shtick of being a goddess was to make sure nobody ever knew she was there. Always hiding in teh shadows, always avoiding attention. Her greatest blunder was the fact that the moon she claimed was visible during it's full moon cycle. If she could have avoided that, then the Akheva never would have gone to war with each other and would still be a unified race worshipping her with her consent.The Combine empire never would have teleported up there, or the Shissar for that matter. The Vah Shir still would since they were transported there entirely by accident.Luclin could have entirely prevented the destruction of her own territory if she wanted too, but that would draw attention, so she let things happen as they did. If she were to return, she would probably do nothing to restore what she originally created, because now eyes all over Norrath would know she had returned.This is what i've gathered about her. She won't do anything if there is a remote chance that someone will see her doing it.

Fugazl

03-15-2012, 09:47 PM

Every god/godess shtick is to let us do all the work...pawns always pawns.With Jal’Raeth and Zebs voids blee blah hard to say for certain what a god/godess master plan is.But back to Qeynos/Freeport, I get the feeling we are just a left flank deversion while gods take right all to help "someone finish the job" not sure what the job is yet

Meirril

03-16-2012, 01:12 AM

<cite>Cusashorn wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Elder Elf wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Banditman wrote:</cite><blockquote>Oh for God's sake.Is it so hard to accept that the moon blew up and everything on it died?</blockquote>The Goddess Luclin, who claimed the planetary satellite as her own, "<a href="http://eq2.zam.com/wiki/Luclin">has not yet returned to Norrath</a>".The moon was only "destroyed" 50 years before the start of EQII's game timeline began.I think it is reasonable to have the moon’s current status, and the fate of all its inhabitants, in question given that video game lore content typically follows the "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comic_book_death">comic book death</a>" principle.Your going to tell me if the game hadn't stalled out some years back that an expansion to the fragments of Luclin wouldn't have eventually come out? I bet it was on the top 10 list of possible expansion ideas. The Maiden of Shadows returns to Norrath, access to the bigger "chunks" opens up, etc...etc...Even if these chunks weren't full blown open world type zones, they could have been a bunch of end game instances for that expansion.... bah anyway.Nothing is ever truly dead and gone in tv, movies, novels, comic books or video games.</blockquote>There's a problem with the return of Luclin: She would never allow the world to know that she returned. Her whole shtick of being a goddess was to make sure nobody ever knew she was there. Always hiding in teh shadows, always avoiding attention. Her greatest blunder was the fact that the moon she claimed was visible during it's full moon cycle. If she could have avoided that, then the Akheva never would have gone to war with each other and would still be a unified race worshipping her with her consent.The Combine empire never would have teleported up there, or the Shissar for that matter. The Vah Shir still would since they were transported there entirely by accident.Luclin could have entirely prevented the destruction of her own territory if she wanted too, but that would draw attention, so she let things happen as they did. If she were to return, she would probably do nothing to restore what she originally created, because now eyes all over Norrath would know she had returned.This is what i've gathered about her. She won't do anything if there is a remote chance that someone will see her doing it.</blockquote>Your Luclin lore seem a bit mis-informed. Luclin drew everything that touched Luclin to Luclin. Luclin had control over the nexus. She lured the Shissar there. She reveals the moon to make people dream of Luclin. Nobody tries to go to Druinel, because it is plain and booring. People try to go to Luclin because it is mysterious. Luclin moved her moon closer to Norrath to allow the Combine Empire to touch Luclin...just as the entire empire was destroyed by Seru's betrayal. Concidence? Maybe not. Quite possibly an elaborate plot by Luclin to gain the royalty of the Combine.The Vah Shir were brought to Luclin. There was no coincidence that the stone under the city stayed in one peice instead of breaking up. It should of cracked and scattered over the surface of Luclin when it impacted. Instead "the spirits" were able to land the city safely. Or rather Luclin arranged for the city to be blown to Luclin and placed it in a crater she created for it in anticipation.The Shissar have no desire to flee Luclin. Where would they go? The Vah Shir were brought there by an accident. How would they return to Euradin to lead their people? The Combine Empire based the spires on the Nexus...which was located on Luclin before they could transport there. Eventually they developed a super spire that could take them to the Nexus. That super spire...stopped working once Luclin got what she wanted. The genious that built the Nexus Spire was trapped by Luclin in madness to prevent him from continuing work on a way to get back to Norrath. If you go back to EQ1 you can clearly see the giant mechanism in Mons Lethari that Greig started building to transport the Combine Loyalists back to Norrath. It was never finished and shades guard the location.Even the comming of the adventurers seems to be part of Luclin's plan. Plan for what? Nobody knows, but it seems clear that she allowed it. The Nexus allowed people to travel to Luclin suddenly, the people of Norrath didn't change anything. Clearly Luclin herself did. The scholars of Norrath are trying to explain it, but clearly Luclin has power over her domain and could cut off or allow people to travel to her domain. Probably why Ro and Zek moved against Luclin was to cut off the mortal's ability to teleport/travel to the planes.

Rainmare

03-16-2012, 03:14 AM

ut's made quite plain that Luclin did not want any of the other races on her moon. she didn't 'move' it closer. she claimed the moon for her own, and erected a veil to cloud it from sight. and only at certain points in it's orbit did it get close enough to Norrath for that veil to be peirced. she created the Ahkeveans, and then left the moon to it's own devices.the nexus is how all teleportaion worked. they just didn't know it until they built thier super spire and moved to Luclin itself, rather then it just being an unknown till then satellite dish for your body. which is why they ended up IN luclin, rather then on it. when Grieg went to make a way to get back home en masse, Luclin made sure to drive him insane before he coudl complete his work.the reason why everyone else coudl go is once they realized what the Nexus was, they knew how to use it to reach the other spires, that it already reached before. the Vah Shir being blown there...that crater that they are sitting in was created upon the impact of thier land into/on to the luclin surface. the same magic that transported the whole place is probably the only thing that didn't turn it into a huge pile of rubble on impact.Sol Ro and Rallos cut off transportaion by taking over the Nexus and disabling it. nothing to do with Luclin at all. Luclin's MO is very much like Veeshan. she deposted her race, took certain measures to hide it, and then washed her hands of any further interferance save for one or two actions. V supposedly intervened/assist/granted with the ritual/spell/power they used to put Kerafyrm to sleep. Luclin only got involved to prevent Grieg from building his own nexus like super spire.and considering we know now what a second 'nexus' does, she probably drove him mad to stop him from accidentally blowing up the moon like El'Arad did on purpose.though as to the return of the Shissar...I don't think it'll happen. and don't assume becuase they had the calendar that they knew the Greenmist was coming or that Luclin was going to explode. it's highly likely that the Shissar misinterpreted the symbols. even the Duality comments many of the symbols can and do have multiple meanings. just becuase you know that a huge poison/plauge is coming, did not mean they knew that it meant Cazic was going to greenmist them. heck that coudl be why they were so deep in necromancy. to be able to counter or control the forseen 'plauge' that was coming. which is probably why only a bare handful of them survived. them going to luclin was not a preplanned and prechosen destination or amount of Shissar. It was a 'Holy crap we need to get out of here NOW' panic...and they left the calendar behind. so who knows if they even knew or kept record of the eventual 'rune of sunder, the moon is going to explode' part to begin with.

Mixxit

03-16-2012, 03:33 AM

EQRPG has a bit more detail on luclin and the combine<img src="http://loreofnorrath.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/theend.png" width="1100" height="613" /><img src="http://loreofnorrath.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/blackorb.png" width="572" height="523" /><img src="http://loreofnorrath.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/nexus-spires.jpg?w=800&height=600" width="800" height="600" />On the Black Orb from EQ1 Luclin Manual'Off to one side of the encampment on a stone island was a large black sphere of swirling mist. The sphere emanated a strong magical field that seemed to pull everything towards it. This sphere, they felt, was most likely responsible for the failed teleport to the surface'Post Pop Lore for the poisoning of TsaphThe very day of Tsaph’s poisoning during the first-ever Combine Summit held in Felwithe, the High Elves were able to put the dying leader of the empire into stasis and transport him to safety within a hidden chamber. Few noticed as there was panic among all the attendees as most of them had been poisoned too. Many died, but many were cured.It was not long before Lcea Katta, Tsaph’s closest advisor, who first urged the elves to save Tsaph, learned that the dire alchemical mixture given Tsaph was different than that given in the wine of the others.Clearly someone intended to cause panic and distrust among the Combine and Tsaph knew it to be Seru. A bard close to Lcea who served the goblets to all the guests noted that Seru refused his drink and was seen to smile oddly as Tsaph lifted his goblet during his toast of all toasts. <img src="http://loreofnorrath.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/tsaphkatta.png?w=500&h=250" /><img src="http://loreofnorrath.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/endofempire1.png" width="503" height="331" /><img src="http://loreofnorrath.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/endofempire2.png" width="502" height="330" /><img src="http://loreofnorrath.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/endofempire3.png" width="494" height="328" /><img src="http://loreofnorrath.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/endofempire4.png" width="507" height="329" /><img src="http://loreofnorrath.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/endofempire5.png" width="506" height="331" /><img src="http://loreofnorrath.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/endofempire6.png" width="506" height="330" />Luclin Manual Lore on TsaphThe banquet hall was cleared, and only a trusted few were allowed to remain. As Katta lay on the floor, dying, he spoke his last breath into the ear of his closest advisor, a fellow bard named Lcea. The druids then came and wove stasis spells to keep him alive, and put a sleep charm on him so that he would not have to endure pain or suffering. Then the elves of the forest came and took Tsaph away, to hide him within their realm so that no further attempts on his life would be possible.As soon as word spread around the world that Katta was "dead", the Combine broke into a thousand tainted pieces. The petty disagreements that had shattered the world before his coming resumed with even more passion. The elves continued to keep watch over the resting place of Tsaph Katta while a few loyal officials, led precariously by Lcea, fortified the Loyalists last remnants.

Zabjade

03-16-2012, 02:24 PM

From what I've see so far on test (I don't think this is covered in NDA since I signed nothing <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> ), the New Combine Empire involved Qeynos and Freeport for sure (The seem one entity short of a triumvirate) which makes for loggerheads.Vishra seems to be the Field Commander.Won't know for sure until Qeynos is revamped or other stuff added in the home cities.

Anaogi

03-16-2012, 08:57 PM

If I understand some of the Oracle's other ramblings correctly--and understand I haven't started poking around on Test yet, so I may be speaking out my ventral orifice here--this may have been the result of third-party diplomacy, otherwise known as 'What Firiona Vie's Been Up To, Volume One'...so there may be some trepidation on both sides of this alliance...

Zabjade

03-16-2012, 10:49 PM

<cite>Anaogi@Permafrost wrote:</cite><blockquote>If I understand some of the Oracle's other ramblings correctly--and understand I haven't started poking around on Test yet, so I may be speaking out my ventral orifice here--this may have been the result of third-party diplomacy, otherwise known as 'What Firiona Vie's Been Up To, Volume One'...so there may be some trepidation on both sides of this alliance...</blockquote>If so, then she needs to step up and be the thrird-ruler, or the Duality.

Zabjade

03-16-2012, 10:51 PM

BTW are those who have not done the raid questlines going to get a precusrsor? (my guild is too small to raid even with our allied guild)

Jait

03-17-2012, 01:15 AM

Not surprised the Combine Empire is getting a 2.0Now all they need is a new Seru, or the old one could just scramble up his name like Kerafyrm did. Say...hmm Erus? Then he could wield the two most powerful weapons on Norrath.Oh...wait.

Rainmare

03-17-2012, 05:27 PM

<cite>Jait@Venekor wrote:</cite><blockquote>Not surprised the Combine Empire is getting a 2.0Now all they need is a new Seru, or the old one could just scramble up his name like Kerafyrm did. Say...hmm Erus? Then he could wield the two most powerful weapons on Norrath.Oh...wait.</blockquote>It would take some HEAVY retconning to bring Seru back. the whole reason Seru was alive on Luclin was becuase he had made himself a prisoner of his own vanity and volition. He was keeping himself an a temporal stasis. locked in a room in a smaller area of it. that's how he lived from the time of the Combine all the way to us rediscovering Luclin. and if I remember right, there were some alusions that if he left that room/area...he'd rapidly age into dust...or at the least his age would indeed catch up to him rather quickly...maybe not a step out and turn to dust, but he would not live very long at all if he left.not to mention he was human. not an Erudite...and his idea of the Combine Empire was strictly human only. Though I think in Sanctus Seru he at least allowed the erudites or elves there. I can't remember off hand. but no one in the city ever saw him, and that's why he had the Eye sect. the Eye was allowed to detain and through enchanters torture and extract anything they wanted from you if they even suspected you weren't entirely loyal to Seru's vision. that's how he kept the people in line without being able to physically appear to them.

Meirril

03-18-2012, 10:05 PM

<cite>Rainmare@Oasis wrote:</cite><blockquote><cite>Jait@Venekor wrote:</cite><blockquote>Not surprised the Combine Empire is getting a 2.0Now all they need is a new Seru, or the old one could just scramble up his name like Kerafyrm did. Say...hmm Erus? Then he could wield the two most powerful weapons on Norrath.Oh...wait.</blockquote>It would take some HEAVY retconning to bring Seru back. the whole reason Seru was alive on Luclin was becuase he had made himself a prisoner of his own vanity and volition. He was keeping himself an a temporal stasis. locked in a room in a smaller area of it. that's how he lived from the time of the Combine all the way to us rediscovering Luclin. and if I remember right, there were some alusions that if he left that room/area...he'd rapidly age into dust...or at the least his age would indeed catch up to him rather quickly...maybe not a step out and turn to dust, but he would not live very long at all if he left.not to mention he was human. not an Erudite...and his idea of the Combine Empire was strictly human only. Though I think in Sanctus Seru he at least allowed the erudites or elves there. I can't remember off hand. but no one in the city ever saw him, and that's why he had the Eye sect. the Eye was allowed to detain and through enchanters torture and extract anything they wanted from you if they even suspected you weren't entirely loyal to Seru's vision. that's how he kept the people in line without being able to physically appear to them.</blockquote>Seru was anti-dark races. No Ogres, Trolls, Iksars or Teir'dal in his Combine Empire. Obviously since you can't trust those races its perfectly all right to betray your friend and emperor and usurp his throne to prevent everybody from getting along, right? That whole move had Luclin written all over it. I'd say it had Inny written all over it, but it wasn't full of Inny gloating afterward so it couldn't of been him.One thing to point out: Geomancy was lost with the fall of the Combine Empire. While I've seen a couple of NPCs labled "Geomancer" in game, I don't think the Combine's big weapon is back. Geomancy invovled large scale magic. The Combine Empire used Geomancy to raise cities. From the general decriptions geomany was great for construction, and maybe battlefield magic. We don't really have a lot on exactly what geomancy could or couldn't do except it was discovered by the Combine, and the practitioners of Geomancy were lost during the civil war. Other than Greig I can't think of another geomancer that was on Luclin.As for the "New Combine" the term growing pains seems to be a good description. All parties invovled seem to agree that something needs to be done, but how it gets done has apparently got them squabbling. It seems fairly obvious that more than Freeport and Qeynos are involved. Or at least I can't think of a decent explination of why you'd see so many Sarnak in the Combine forces if Gorowin wasn't directly involved. I can see 1 or 2 "freeport" sarnak being present. There are quite a few though. Too many to just chalk it up to Freeport alone. Also a strong contingent of Fae, which says Kelethin is probably invovled. No coldain which puts New Halas up for debat. Some Arisi are involved, but that doesn't necessaraly mean than Neriak is in on the Combine army. Indeed I'd think Christanos would see it as a threat to her throne...and for good reason.

Kaitheel

03-19-2012, 02:40 PM

<cite>Meirril wrote:</cite><blockquote>As for the "New Combine" the term growing pains seems to be a good description. All parties invovled seem to agree that something needs to be done, but how it gets done has apparently got them squabbling. It seems fairly obvious that more than Freeport and Qeynos are involved. Or at least I can't think of a decent explination of why you'd see so many Sarnak in the Combine forces if Gorowin wasn't directly involved. I can see 1 or 2 "freeport" sarnak being present. There are quite a few though. Too many to just chalk it up to Freeport alone. Also a strong contingent of Fae, which says Kelethin is probably invovled. No coldain which puts New Halas up for debat. Some Arisi are involved, but that doesn't necessaraly mean than Neriak is in on the Combine army. Indeed I'd think Christanos would see it as a threat to her throne...and for good reason.*quote snipped*</blockquote>A few of you that participated in the quest "Tangled Roots of Growth" (the Scimitar of the Emerald Dawn heritage quest) may recall that Firiona Vie could be found in Greater Faydark speaking with Queen Amree or in Darklight Wood meeting with Prince Tarant Thex.Queen Amree said, "...you know that all of Kelethin supports you. How could we not stand beside the Chosen of Growth, the rightful Queen of Felwithe?"Prince Tarant Thex said, "I will carry the message to her, myself, but I guarantee nothing."~Kaitheel

Rainmare

03-19-2012, 06:28 PM

Correct me if I'm wrong here, Kaitheel....but I was under the impression that if Talvus went anywhere near Cristanos she'd have him executed. So is the 'she' Cristanos...or perhaps the leadership of Gorowyn?

Kaitheel

03-19-2012, 08:44 PM

<cite>Rainmare@Oasis wrote:</cite><blockquote>Correct me if I'm wrong here, Kaitheel....but I was under the impression that if Talvus went anywhere near Cristanos she'd have him executed. So is the 'she' Cristanos...or perhaps the leadership of Gorowyn?</blockquote>Prince Tarant Thex not Talvus.~Kaitheel

Rainmare

03-20-2012, 10:18 PM

ah, gotcha <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> misread it then heh. well that puts Freeport, Neriak, Qeynos, Gorowyn and Kelethin in the combine so far...wonder what Halas will do.and I still think that once the rallosians/Kera are dealt with...this new combine is going to collapse like a house of cards in front of a hurricane. Lucan and Cristanos alone just are not the type to follow anyone's ideals or orders but thier own.

Fugazl

03-21-2012, 09:33 PM

This "New Combine" isnt ment for a new means to a new begining.The "New Combine" is a "well looks like the world is going to end." Whatever the incoming Ender will be it's enough for the upper up's like Lucan,Antie and so forced getting the army of armies together for one last battle.

Meirril

03-21-2012, 10:12 PM

<cite>Rainmare@Oasis wrote:</cite><blockquote>ah, gotcha <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" /> misread it then heh. well that puts Freeport, Neriak, Qeynos, Gorowyn and Kelethin in the combine so far...wonder what Halas will do.and I still think that once the rallosians/Kera are dealt with...this new combine is going to collapse like a house of cards in front of a hurricane. Lucan and Cristanos alone just are not the type to follow anyone's ideals or orders but thier own.</blockquote>It really depends on just how long this drags out. The more the different sides get to depend on each other, the more likely the overall political structure will survive.Yes, I don't think it will last much longer than a footnote after Kerafyrm is defeated but its possible.Also if some of the major players happen to die along the way, a united Qeynos/Freeport could be created. Or the alliance torn appart before it even begins. Depends on how people die. If Antonia suddenly falls dead everybody will blame Lucan. If Lucan dies on the field of battle the coalition might not end. It might even get stronger if suddenly a regent of Gorowin gets promoted to take his place. There are lots of ways the story could go, even though you can kinda predict that Lucan and Antonia are both going to survive this. If any of the big names are going to bite it, I'd be on Christanos since she's rather under developed as a character. Though, honestly a big contender for dying would be Firona Vie. She's a big name character, but if she suddenly disappears it won't change anything important in a city.I'm thinking it would be nice to see some big names die in the comming conflict, but I'm kinda realizing there really arn't that many big name characters out there. Freeport has...Lucan. Sorry, really hard pressed to name anyone else important from Freeport. Qeynos at least has a few more. Antonia, Mur'shar, Varin, the rest of the councle of 10.Hmm...would be nice to get some major figures given some story, background and a reason we care when they get slaughtered in the upcomming battles. A little emotional invovlement in the story would be good for EQ2.

Cusashorn

03-22-2012, 12:06 AM

Antonia and Lucan are the game's main characters without exception. They have as much possibility of getting killed off as the Green Bay Packers have a chance of being collectively sold by the public and moved to another state. Regardless of how much or how little character development the leaders of each city has, none of them are going to be replaced. For the record, New Halas doesn't have an appointed single individual leader (that I've seen. I think the city is run between the Erollisi shrine and the shamans,) and the leaders of Gorowyn literally have no back story. If anyone were to be killed, it would be them. Queen Amree and Christanos are safe.

Rainmare

03-22-2012, 11:42 AM

actually I disagree on that one Cusa. I think Cristanos is a prime target to get eliminated. Lucan already has issues with her, and Talvus has obvious reasons to get rid of her as well. I coudl see Amree biting it so that Kelethin becames like Neriak...a Good aligned city that does not brook interference from 'evils' once the Princess that hates outsiders takes the reigns.I could see Cristanos getting taken in a political coup with Talvus and Lucan going in it together. Lucan to get even for the betrayal after the Darklight pact..you know that whole 'give you opal to shut you up and then break her out of your jail just to say I can'..Talvus for obvious reasons. and Talvus would probably have some internal help from the priesthood who also have thier own issues with Cristanos.That's just a rule in Neriak. you make enough enemies, and don't keep enough allies even if your one of the big guns in power, and someone is bound to take you out.Although. I can actually see Opal taking out Lucan..to help someone else more easily controlled taking over. Opal has discovered the 'secret' of Lucan's immortality (I think personally he's the 'original' Wraithguard) and she right now has infliterated the Dismal Rage...who have access to a super powerful destroy the undead spell that can even get rid of the 'unkillable' Wraithguard.

Zabjade

03-22-2012, 01:59 PM

I've gotten a little further in the questline, it seems the New Combine Empire's formation seems to be because of the Awakened.

Fugazl

03-22-2012, 03:03 PM

A lil off topic but during troll racial quest you realize alot goes on in norrath that noone even mentionI spoke with none other than the spirit of Ykesha himself, who explained that a dawning of troll power was beginning, and that we should seize this opportunity to become greater than we are. By reconnecting with our ancient past, our unmatched mastery of spiritual magics, and the coming of the Grozmok to unite us, we could become mightier now than we have ever been.<a href="http://eq2.zam.com/db/quest.html?eq2quest=89bf778a4c7d4dadab86f94098804b b0">http://eq2.zam.com/db/quest.html?eq...b86f94098804bb0</a>

Rainmare

03-22-2012, 05:43 PM

except the Trolls have been talking about the Grozmok coming for centuries now. pretty much every major Troll 'leader' has claimed to be the legendary Grozmok, including Ykesha himself. that's one of the big reasons the Troll clans decimate eachother over the Grozmok Stone. the clan that has the stone is supposed to be the one that grozmok comes from.trolls and the grozmok reminds me of christians that keep talking about the second coming and the rapture coming every other year or always it's coming soon, or just around the corner and can't you see all the signs.

Cusashorn

03-22-2012, 07:18 PM

<cite>Rainmare@Oasis wrote:</cite><blockquote>Although. I can actually see Opal taking out Lucan..to help someone else more easily controlled taking over. Opal has discovered the 'secret' of Lucan's immortality (I think personally he's the 'original' Wraithguard) and she right now has infliterated the Dismal Rage...who have access to a super powerful destroy the undead spell that can even get rid of the 'unkillable' Wraithguard.</blockquote>I could see that too... if not for the fact that Opal Darkbriar is canonically dead. The Assassin epic quest officially kills her off.

Rainmare

03-22-2012, 08:15 PM

Nope <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" /> do the freeport line to find out what REALLY happened <img src="/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />

Meirril

03-22-2012, 09:13 PM

<cite>Rainmare@Oasis wrote:</cite><blockquote>Nope <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" /> do the freeport line to find out what REALLY happened <img src="/eq2/images/smilies/8a80c6485cd926be453217d59a84a888.gif" border="0" /></blockquote>I've done the scout line and the main line. In neither of these does it mention anything about Opal. Lots about some ficticious Bucaneer leader that may or may not be dead, but nothing about Opal.I'm betting if anything is said about Opal that only mage types get that story. Each archatype gets a seperate story from the main trunk (which is the Wraithguard story). As I only have the one evil, I'm not going to create 3 more just to explore the side stories in Freeport.

Rainmare

03-22-2012, 09:48 PM

Oh? well in that case, allow me to enlighten you <img src="/smilies/3b63d1616c5dfcf29f8a7a031aaa7cad.gif" border="0" alt="SMILEY" />the 'Opal' that was killed in the Assassin Epic was actually a high elf. Opal charmed her, and disgused her as herself and sent her running. essentially the Assassin that 'killed' her. didn't bother to do a very good check of the body outside that it was an elf, it was blue, and running to Neriak.the actual Opal has been in Freeport this whole time after her release, using her illusions to hide and seeking information/knowledge about Lucan. she apparently doesn't just snag illusions, either. she has a stone/stones that give her the illusion that is practically unpiercable, AND she gains all thier skills. and she has literally dozens of them.you face her after you kill a member of the Dismal Rage who you were suppose to interrogate at the behest of a gnome. when you go back to the gnome, you get brushed off and when you go back to the Rage...the person you just killed is alive and well adn messing with another aspect of creating a Wraithguard.you confront her about how she's alive, and it turns out that it's Opal.then Lucan shows up with a lackey that he tells to capture Opal...and Opal disposes of them quick and efficent. basically bragging she taught the Spellbreakers(if that's teh name..the militia anti-mage unit) everything they know, but not everything she knows.Lucan closes in on her, claiming her powers won't do squat to him. she plays humble...but remarks she knows the secret of his immortality..and that she had no part in Tayil's coup. in fact she claims she was also searchign for her to deliver her to him.he reminds her about her theft of Soulfire. She counters she took it to try and get a 'buyer' to come out of hiding (I assume this was Mayong) He says if she wants to prove herself, to catch Tayil...and until then, he's not going to trust her, and if she comes out of 'hiding' he'll have her dealt with.and she responds to him with that he shouldn't trust her. but she has no reason to overthrown him. she doesn't care about politics, she is only after knowledge...adn lucan being in power facilitates her ability to gain knowledge. So lucan lets her live, and she goes back to playing as a semi-high ranking of member of the Dismal Rage.she claims that her study into the process of creating a wraithguard gave her the final 'key' to figure out just what Lucan actually is. and of course, over the course of the questline, the Dismal Rage now have a spell capable of destroying a Wraithguard outright.and there's Opal, 'working' in the Dismal Rage. knowing what lucan actually is, with what is potentially one of the most potent anti-undead spells in existance right now at her proverbial fingertips.

Cusashorn

03-23-2012, 01:47 AM

Huh, I should have figured they wouldn't just off her like that given her background. Also, I stopped playing (and choose to not return) right before the Freeport revamp, so what I know is outdated now anyway. Go figure.

Meirril

03-25-2012, 05:54 AM

<cite>Cusashorn wrote:</cite><blockquote>Huh, I should have figured they wouldn't just off her like that given her background. Also, I stopped playing (and choose to not return) right before the Freeport revamp, so what I know is outdated now anyway. Go figure.</blockquote>You have to admit, her death in the Assassin Epic quest line wasn't all that convincing or epic. More or less anti-climatic if I remember correctly.

Cusashorn

03-25-2012, 03:15 PM

Yeah, that is a good point.

Maergoth

04-04-2012, 10:48 PM

I'd just like to point out that Lucan is chump change compared to Lord Inquisitor Seru.Lucan's power is granted to him by a manipulative group of priests worshipping Innoruuk. Lord Inquisitor Seru's power was granted to him BY Innoruuk, and originally Mithaniel Marr.Lucan might have had Soulfire, a respectable weapon especially given it's recently developed origins. However, the Sword of Truth would out perform it in combat. It belonged to Mithaniel Marr himself, and Seru basically conned it out of Marr's hands.Plus, Seru is also immortal in within his realm, which basically grants him the power of godhood. With that said, he could still be alive and kicking, waiting to play a part in this game."Seru, realizing that given his life expectancy, he would not live to see the defeat of the Loyalists nor possibly ever be able to return to Norrath, had a chamber built that slowed the passage of time for the occupant. It is said that months outside are equal to seconds inside this chamber, allowing Seru to greatly extend his life without resorting to the vile arts of necromancy"So yeah. Independance, immortality, the backing of a god, and one of the most powerful weapons in the EQ universe.Oh, and Lucan, Imma letchu finish but Lord Inquisitor Seru committed one of the greatest acts of betrayal of all time.Sorry Lucan, but you're no Lord Inquisitor Seru.Also, this is a good time to post one of my favorite threads on any SOE forum anywhere.<a href="http://forums.station.sony.com/eq/posts/list.m?&topic_id=50031" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">http://forums.station.sony.com/eq/p...;topic_id=50031</a>A flavored coalescence of the lore catastrophe that was Shadows of Luclin. It's a good read, even if a few gaps were filled with slightly less than canon sources. By now, it's all better than what anyone remembers, so take the time to read it if you're interested.

Rainmare

04-07-2012, 01:26 PM

I was under the impression that Seru was not under the influence of Innorruuk, nor granted his powers from him. his 'Sword of Truth' drop was I beleive, not supposed to be Marr's weapon, but an 'easter egg' refering to the sword of truth series.Seru yes, was a powerful Paladin. if I remember right, he may still be a paladin when you fight him in Luclin. but Lucan is far more dangerous the Seru. because Seru acts very subtle. he poisoned Katta, he hid his persecution of the dark races under his 'Inquisition' he tried to take power indirectly...planning to take control after Katta's death, since he and Katta were beleived at the time to be close friends. It's easy to see the gist of his plan was to have katta poisoned, blame it on one of the 'dark' dignitaries, to prove himself right..and take the Combine as the new emperor being a strong righteous military leader.then you have his Statis chamber...which again we're lead to believe that while it does make him virtually immortal...he can't leave it. he's ripped from the flow of time inside it, but outside it the flow of time would quickly catch up to him and kill him. which is why he has his various sects acting in his name and why no one has actually seen Seru in the city for who knows how long.Lucan is truly free to do whatever he wants. however he gained his immortal status (I still think he's the original Wraithguard, and probably preformed that ceremony on the paladin he murdered some 500+ years ago) he can leave his city. he does appear to his people, and he doesn't care about being subtle. Lucan would ram that new sword of his in Antonia's back the second she turns around once this threat with Kerafyrm is over. and he's obviously been building his forces. every ship in Freeport is now part of his navy. he's constucting seigeweapons and storing them where the Bloodhaze used to be. He's upped the creation of those darn near impossible to kill Wraithguards.He's getting ready to either defend himself from someone (Cristanos probably) or start a major war (against Qeynos). he even says it in his speeches during the executions. that freeport has become complacant, and he's not having that anymore.Lucan won't waste time with plots and schemes like Seru. He's going to go right for the jugular with fangs bared the second he knows that Kera is out of commision/no longer a threat.

Mixxit

04-07-2012, 02:42 PM

<cite>Rainmare@Oasis wrote:</cite><blockquote>I was under the impression that Seru was not under the influence of Innorruuk</blockquote>As far as I remember the Innoruuk information comes from the ocean of tears book rather than EQ1 lore (the poisoning goes quite differently with lots of snakes being summoned to attack during the banquet) - doesn't make much sense that he'd be allied to innoruuk anyway since he didn't want the dark elves to join the combine

Maergoth

04-08-2012, 04:24 AM

The Ocean of Tears stuff was considered canonical unless directly conflicting with specifics from in-game sources. Since most of Luclin lore was a mess, they rolled with a lot of stuff like that, and even some loose speculation and prophecy of trakanon type stuff. They just didn't have anything better.

Rainmare

04-08-2012, 05:55 PM

the whole build up of Seru in Luclin was a 'good guy extremist'. he is/was a Paladin, who is so obessesed with rooting out 'evil' and 'corruption' that he runs Sanctus Seru like a Soviet russia. he has a secret police (the Eye of Seru faction) that under any pretense can incarcerate and interrogate/torture you...apparently by using enchanters to forcibly extract information from you. he has a militia (the Hand of Seru I think) that generally acts as guards and does a good job given the extreme rules they have to enforce. the third one, the mage faction, are responsible for keeping Seru's 'time chamber' functioning, and in general also seemed to be rather well run/mannered.it's the extreme laws of Seru and his Eye that makes the place 'corrupt'. no dark races allowed, no questioning Seru or anyone working under the three factions, minor infractions even so much as lying can get you on the wrong side of the Inquisition. Everything they do is inspected and searched for traces of corrupt practices or disloyalty. and in Sanctuc Seru you were guilty until proven innocent.

Meirril

04-08-2012, 08:21 PM

<cite>Maergoth@Antonia Bayle wrote:</cite><blockquote>The Ocean of Tears stuff was considered canonical unless directly conflicting with specifics from in-game sources. Since most of Luclin lore was a mess, they rolled with a lot of stuff like that, and even some loose speculation and prophecy of trakanon type stuff. They just didn't have anything better.</blockquote>I have no idea why you believe this. I've seen it said that anything outside of EQ1 pre-Pop and everything in EQ2 is cannon. All other sources are questionable.

Mixxit

04-10-2012, 04:55 PM

'In an uncanny display of will - or madness - General Seru clamped tight his jaws. His teeth bit into the serpent, which shocked to wakefulness and thrashed madly, its eyes almost turning inside out as the general bit through the snake, but Seru seemed not to notice. He just stared viciously at the likewise shuddering body of Emperor Katta.With hate in his eyes-with Hate in his eyes-Seru swallowed the wriggling reptile that lined his throat. Blood sprayed from the serpent's gnawed neck and out the general's mouth to run in rivulets down his chin and neck. The man persisted, unwilling to let loose of his Hate, swallowing it so he might feed on it yet some more.Suddenly it was clear to Aataltaal. General Seru had given himself up to Innoruuk.'Ocean of Tears - Page 111Sounds non-canonical to me!

Rainmare

04-11-2012, 03:01 PM

except every ingame source we have on the subject says that Seru used poison in the form of a powerful drug. I think the version from the ingame talk from Luclin says he coated his glove with it and shook Katta's had to give it to him, I think a version from EQ1 when they 'discovered' thier combine version of atlantis comments that it was poisoned wine. but the idea again is that there were no snakes or strange assault..just that things were going well until Katta had his freak out/violent reaction to the poison.and even if you take both stories into account. if Seru had a poison coated glove, he very well may have used it to shake more the Katta's hand, which might lead to people assuming wine was poisoned, as more then one person might have shown the effects of the poison on the glove.so we got 2 in game sources. once from before the novel, one from after the novel came out, that say it was a simple old fashioned poisoning, and then you have the novel version of snakes being unleashed to attack katte/dignitaries. And that the devout paladin who's so devoted to the paladin's cause of fighting 'evil' that he poisoned Katta for allowing 'evil' races that worship 'dark gods' into the Combine...somehow struck a bargain, turned himself over to the God of Hate. the very god that created one of the races he was opposed to have join the empire becuase they were Innorruuk worshipping necromancers/shadowknight/evil people.sound to me oike the novel writers took some liberties there to make the poisoning 'more exciting'.